Dan Rutstein: British Diplomacy to American Soccer Leadership

What do whiskey, Madonna’s bagpipe player, and American soccer have in common? The answer: today's guest, Dan Rutstein! 

A former British diplomat and award-winning journalist, Dan is now President of Orange County Soccer Club, where he’s overseen record crowds, commercial growth, and a remarkable transformation of the club. Along the way he’s also built a reputation as a gifted communicator and storyteller, hosting his own podcasts and pioneering the idea of “whiskey diplomacy” as a way to connect people and ideas.

In this wide-ranging conversation with Luke Darcy on Empowering Leaders, Dan reflects on what he’s carried from diplomacy into sport, why building memorable experiences matters more than metrics, and how relationships remain at the heart of leadership even in an AI-driven world. He shares stories of learning from bad bosses, the loneliness of leadership, and the communication trick he swears by - the magic of three. Dan offers so much insight into what it really takes to lead with curiosity and connection across industries.

Dan & Luke mention Soccer for Hope and Dan’s podcasts: Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss, America the Beautiful Game, United States of Dramerica

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